Chotlos, Matthew, Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University, 221 Forest Resources Building, University Park, PA 16802, mqc6556@psu.edu; Keagy, Jason, Department of Wildlife Behavioral Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, keagy@psu.edu; Kepler Schall, Megan, Department of Biological Sciences, Penns State Hazleton, 76 University Drive, Hazleton, PA 180202, mvk10@psu.edu; Smith, Geoffrey, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Division of Fisheries Management, Bellefonte, PA 16823, geofsmith@pa.gov; Tokranov, Andrea, U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, Pembroke, NH 03275, atokranov@usgs.gov; Hopkins, Zachary, U.S. Geological Survey, zrhopkins@usgs.gov; Smalling, Kelly, U.S. Geological Survey, New Jersey Water Science Center, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, ksmall@usgs.gov; Eagles-Smith, Collin, U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR 97331, ceagles-smith@usgs.gov; Croke, Megan, The Pennsylvania State University, mvc6374@psu.edu; Wagner, Tyler, U.S. Geological Survey PA Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, txw19@psu.edu.
After widespread use in consumer products, firefighting foams, and industry, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination of aquatic ecosystems is a global problem and the consumption of contaminated fish is an important exposure pathway for humans. The northern snakehead (Channa argus) is a recent invader to the eastern United States and is growing in popularity as a sport and food fish. However, there is limited information about PFAS contamination in invasive northern snakehead populations. The goal of this research is to (1) quantify PFAS in northern snakehead populations and (2) use a landscape transcriptomics approach to identify molecular markers of sublethal PFAS exposure. By collecting information about PFAS, we can build the knowledge base about the effects of PFAS on fish while facilitating informed health decisions by fish consumers.
Emerging Contaminants, PFAS, Northern Snakehead, Transcriptomics